Wang Jingyi walked up to Zhu Xiaotian, who appeared flustered. Seeing her friend's anxiety, she couldn't help but furrow her brows.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Zhu Xiaotian hastily shook her head. "It's nothing, it's just that Tian Xiao... he just..."
She repeated Tian Xiao's words, but deliberately omitted the final sentence.
Wang Jingyi listened intently, and a flicker of regret passed through her eyes. "Did he really say that?" She sighed softly. "Well, I suppose it's for the best. At least he knows his own limitations."
"Ah?" Zhu Xiaotian was momentarily taken aback, not fully understanding Wang Jingyi's meaning.
Wang Jingyi smiled gently, looking at her. "I've always been grateful for the help Tian Xiao has given me, but as he said, it's impossible for us to be together. I used to think that those rumors about us being in a relationship were something he purposely spread. But now I realize that I misunderstood him."
A subtle, relieved smile appeared on Wang Jingyi's face. "It's fine, really. I never knew how to clear up these misunderstandings, but now that he's distanced himself, maybe it's a good thing for both of us."
Zhu Xiaotian seemed confused. "But... weren't you two close friends? He sacrificed his time to help you through tough situations. Are you really going to let these misunderstandings get in the way of even remaining friends?"
Wang Jingyi furrowed her brow slightly. "If we continue to stay too close, people will just assume that Tian Xiao and I are in a relationship."
Zhu Xiaotian opened her mouth, but the words didn't come out. She looked at Wang Jingyi, a feeling of unfamiliarity sweeping over her. She had never imagined that the best friend she once shared everything with would speak like this.
"Is the opinion of others really that important?" the question lingered in her mind, but she kept it to herself.
Wang Jingyi seemed to sense her confusion. She quickly changed the subject, giving Zhu Xiaotian a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Alright, today is my birthday. Let's not dwell on unhappy things. Let's go shopping, and tonight someone's treating us to karaoke."
Zhu Xiaotian lowered her head, still feeling puzzled, but she chose not to press further. She managed to force a smile, following Wang Jingyi as they headed out.
As she walked beside her, Zhu Xiaotian couldn't help but remember Tian Xiao's words earlier: "How could I give up conquering this vast starry sea for a mere vase?"
Those words echoed in her mind, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of loss. She realized that Wang Jingyi had seemingly already made up her mind about her future, while Tian Xiao, on the other hand, seemed to have long moved beyond the constraints of such emotional ties, focusing on something far grander.
Without thinking, she quickened her pace, trying to catch up with Wang Jingyi. But her heart was filled with an unspoken, complicated emotion.
...
Meanwhile, Tian Xiao's world remained busy and focused. The call from Zhu Xiaotian didn't disturb his mood; if anything, it only reaffirmed his convictions.
Zhu Xiaotian—someone who had risen to the rank of Earth Military Camp Commander in just three years—was clearly more than just a pretty face. She had power, intelligence, and an indomitable will. Tian Xiao never underestimated anyone, and he knew that if Zhu Xiaotian were to join his team, she would make a formidable ally.
But for now, there was no rush. He kept his attention fixed on the present task—mining.
With the advantage of his past life's experience, Tian Xiao quickly adapted to the work rhythm of the miners. In just half a day, he had gathered a significant amount of raw ore and was headed back to the base, full of satisfaction.
Upon arriving, he immediately went to the logistics department to submit his haul.
The logistics department was the busiest sector of the base. It was responsible for receiving the daily resources from the miners, calculating their wages, and providing a vast supermarket for daily needs.
When Tian Xiao's mining vessel arrived at the logistics department, the other miners took notice. It was evident from the vibration of the conveyor belts and the sheer number of ores being unloaded that Tian Xiao had made an impressive haul.
Thousands of pieces of ore had already brought his earnings for the day into the four-figure range. Tian Xiao stood by, arms crossed, watching the figures on the screen steadily rise as the ores continued to be processed.
"Wow! Brother, you hit the jackpot!" the miners around him exclaimed.
"Where did you find these? Take me with you next time!"
Tian Xiao didn't boast or show any pride; he simply replied, "If you want the task log for today, it'll cost you a thousand. Take it back and analyze it. How much you earn depends on your own abilities."
A stunned silence fell over the group. The miners exchanged glances, realizing that Tian Xiao's tone wasn't that of a rookie, but rather that of an experienced, seasoned miner.
As the ores on the conveyor belt continued to roll in, the total value quickly exceeded 20,000 credits. The miners' eyes widened in astonishment.
"Look at that! He's got a serious haul!" someone exclaimed.
However, everyone understood that the ores didn't all come from the same location, so buying the task logs wouldn't be of much value. They exchanged knowing looks, hesitant to buy.
At that moment, one of the logistics department supervisors, Li Ying, noticed Tian Xiao's actions. While it was common to see lucky miners in the base, Tian Xiao's calm and efficient approach caught his attention. This was not the behavior of a newcomer.
Li Ying's suspicions grew, and he quickly made a phone call. "Brother Gao, can you do me a favor? Pull up the task log for a new miner, ID 3377... As for the reward, no problem. I'll treat you to dinner tonight and introduce you to a pretty girl."
Tian Xiao's performance seemed to have drawn the attention of others, but he remained unfazed. He wasn't concerned with outside opinions. His focus remained on his ultimate goal—the vast starry sea.
As the final ores were processed and the day's earnings were tallied, Tian Xiao's total reached a staggering 27,000 credits. His paycheck for the day was 8,900 credits, and the figures were immediately deposited into his account.
With his task completed and his earnings secured, Tian Xiao left the logistics department, his mind already focused on the next step in his journey. The world around him was buzzing with chatter, but he was unbothered. He was on his way to greater things, with or without anyone's attention.
After all, his vision was far beyond the confines of this small base. It was the stars he sought to conquer.